Code Requiring Spares On A Panel?

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shamsdebout

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Macon,GA
My manager told me a few times that there is a code reference that requires a panel to be designed such that a certain of spares are available on the panel. He was not able to find it, does anyone know if such a code reference exists?
 
No such a thing. The NEC is a minimum standard. Check out Article 90, it lays out the scope for the NEC, and makes plain that the NEC "contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance results in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use."
 
shamsdebout said:
My manager told me a few times that there is a code reference that requires a panel to be designed such that a certain of spares are available on the panel. He was not able to find it, does anyone know if such a code reference exists?
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Wouldn't that be counter productive? That would end up limiting the total amount of circuits. You would also have a bunch of unusable breakers.
 
shamsdebout said:
My manager told me a few times that there is a code reference that requires a panel to be designed such that a certain of spares are available on the panel. He was not able to find it, does anyone know if such a code reference exists?
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Sounds like more of a specification issue. Our design criteria call for 10% spare circuits (meaning we can't use 2x40circ panels for a job with 78 circuits).
 
480sparky said:
To narrow down George's answer: 90.8(A).
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I agree, but also wanted to point out that this section does not contain any requirements for future expansion. It does nothing more than point out that it may be good to plan for future expansion.

(A) Future Expansion and Convenience. Plans and specifications that provide ample space in raceways, spare raceways, and additional spaces allow for future increases in electric power and communication circuits. Distribution centers located in readily accessible locations provide convenience and safety of operation.
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Chris
 
pbeasley said:
Sounds like more of a specification issue. Our design criteria call for 10% spare circuits (meaning we can't use 2x40circ panels for a job with 78 circuits).
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It must be that, I think my manager worked at a firm that had such a design criteria and thought it was based on the code. The rational for this critera is for future expansion capability?
 
Not every situation calls for such consideration. For example, last year, we wired a mixed-use building, and the two upstairs apartments each got 20-space panels that were filled full:

60/2 heat
40/2 range
30/2 water heater
30/2 dryer
20/2 A/C

20/1 kit S/A
20/1 kit S/A
20/1 laundry
20/1 bath rec
15/1 fridge
15/1 D/W
15/1 disp
15/1 L/R rec
15/1 B/R rec
15/1 lights/fans

What on earth could be added? If a microwave is ever brought in, it would be a renter's own counter-top unit.
 
LarryFine said:
Not every situation calls for such consideration. For example, last year, we wired a mixed-use building, and the two upstairs apartments each got 20-space panels that were filled full:

60/2 heat
40/2 range
30/2 water heater
30/2 dryer
20/2 A/C

20/1 kit S/A
20/1 kit S/A
20/1 laundry
20/1 bath rec
15/1 fridge
15/1 D/W
15/1 disp
15/1 L/R rec
15/1 B/R rec
15/1 lights/fans

What on earth could be added? If a microwave is ever brought in, it would be a renter's own counter-top unit.
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Good point and a good example. I dont think you would need any future expansion in this case though.
 
shamsdebout said:
I would leave a space for a 3-pole breaker, I may need to set up a sub-panel.
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So you would install an "extra" panel if there were only 2 open spaces in the panel you were contracted to wire and install?

Then you would end up with +2 open spaces in the contracted panel, and -2 spaces in the "extra" panel".


Who is going to pay for this?
 
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